Canada Begins Process to Deport an Official of the Islamic Republic of Iran

On Thursday, February 11, Global News reported that the Canada Border Services Agency has initiated the process to deport Elham Zandi, a senior member of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from the country. According to the report, Zandi entered Canada on a tourist visa and applied for a work permit. The report did not specify Zandi's position. Global News noted that after investigations into her past in Iran were prolonged, Zandi filed a complaint against the Canadian immigration office, seeking $10,000 in damages. During this process, the office of Patrick Wheeler, a Liberal MP in Canada, contacted the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada several times, requesting attention to the case. Zandi's lawyer declined to comment on the case, but Canadian officials confirmed that plans for her deportation are underway. No further details about this Iranian citizen's past or her collaboration with the Islamic Republic have been released, but she intends to remain in Canada by suing the government. Global News also mentioned the presence of several senior Iranian officials in Canada, noting that while Canada has banned their entry due to human rights violations by the Islamic Republic, some have managed to enter the country. The Canada Border Services Agency states that it identifies senior officials of the Islamic Republic in Canada and that they must leave the country due to human rights violations. In recent months, the agency has identified 18 Iranian officials in Canada. Cases have been opened for three of them, with two on the verge of deportation, while the third will not be deported. One Iranian official voluntarily left Canada, and six other cases are currently pending in the Canadian immigration office. According to the Canada Border Services Agency, 84 visas for Iranian applicants have also been revoked in this context. However, Iranian-Canadian activists are urging the Canadian federal government to take better action against Iranian officials who view this country as a safe haven. Kaveh Shahrooz, a Toronto-based lawyer, told Global News that Iranian officials come to Canada because they do not want to live under the conditions they created in Iran. He also stated that they choose Canada because entry and residence in this country is easy. Shahrooz noted that while entry conditions for the families of Iranian Canadians are very difficult, the easy entry of Iranian officials creates the perception that Canada's immigration system is 'unfair.' He further called for clearer directives for immigration officers and more resources and personnel for the deportation process. Canada banned the entry of senior officials of the Islamic Republic after the crackdown on nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police in 2022, which became known as the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement. The number of Iranian officials 'in the process of deportation' from Canada has reached 16. Exclusive: Mandatory military service in the Revolutionary Guard does not prevent entry into Canada. Canada thwarted an 'Iranian government plot' to assassinate a Jewish lawyer.